Rhoda B Gusikit - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Rhoda B Gusikit

Origin of Saline Groundwater in Parts of the Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria

Science forum (Bauchi), 2022

World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences

Many cases of road failures have been reported by experts in Nigeria from North to South, East to... more Many cases of road failures have been reported by experts in Nigeria from North to South, East to West. Most of these roads are in a deplorable condition and professionals have attributed it to a number of causes. This study reviewed causes of failure of roads in Nigeria and categorized them into lack of careful and diligent geotechnical studies, inadequate knowledge of geology of the area, and other conditions. Roads that have failed due to lack of proper geotechnical studies include; Awotan-Akufo, Sagamu-Papalanto highway, Onitsha-Enugu Expressway and Akoko highway. Geotechnical studies provide information on the physical and mechanical properties of soil or rock around or brought to the construction site. Some roads have failed as a result of improper consideration of geology for instance the Shagamu -Benin expressway, Lagos- Ibadan expressway, Ibadan -Ife, Osogbo -Iwo expressway, Abakaliki area and Port Harcourt -Enugu expressway. Roads are founded on geologic earth materials an...

Global Journal of Geological Sciences

Groundwater quality is an important thing to be determined; because it is commonly used as a sour... more Groundwater quality is an important thing to be determined; because it is commonly used as a source of clean water for domestic, agricultural and industry purposes. Fifty three groundwater samples (seventeen from wells, five from springs and thirty one from boreholes) were sampled for this research work. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer (ICP-MS) was used to analyze for the major cations while titration was used for SO4 and HCO3. Cl was analyzed using the Ion Chromatographic Method (IC). From the results obtained, Total dissolved solids (TDS), Electrical conductivity (EC), and Strontium (Sr) classified the groundwater in the study area into three as fresh, brackish and saline water. The concentrations of major ions in all the fresh water and some of the brackish water in the study area met the World Health Organization (WHO) Standard for drinking water while the concentrations of the major ions in the saline water are above the WHO permissible values for drinking wat...

International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research, 2019

The study was conducted in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, parts of the Middle Benue... more The study was conducted in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, parts of the Middle Benue Trough. The aim of the study was to assess the concentrations of some heavy metals in groundwater. Forty eight (48) groundwater samples (16 from wells, 4 from springs, and 28 from boreholes) were collected. Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer (ICPMS) was employed to determine the concentrations of these heavy metals in the collected groundwater samples. The study revealed that the concentrations of Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, U, and Zn in hand dug wells are within the WHO permissible limits for drinking water. However, in Azara the concentration of As in the well water is above the WHO permissible limit. Also, Mo concentration in a well water sample at Kanje is above WHO permissible limit. Strontium (Sr) concentration (0.131 – 1.711) in almost all the well water samples are above the WHO permissible limit (0.07 mg/l). Akiri and Awe springs have As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb...

Environmental Earth Sciences, 2015

Your article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution license which allows users to re... more Your article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution license which allows users to read, copy, distribute and make derivative works, as long as the author of the original work is cited. You may selfarchive this article on your own website, an institutional repository or funder's repository and make it publicly available immediately.

Environmental Earth Sciences, 2015

The Panyam volcanic province is a plateau covering a superficial area of about 1200 km 2 , dotted... more The Panyam volcanic province is a plateau covering a superficial area of about 1200 km 2 , dotted by a number of dormant volcanoes forming prominent landmarks above the host continental gneiss-migmatite-granite rocks and stretching for about 12 km. The volcanism is basaltic, characterized by alkaline-calc-alkaline compositions. Large population of people live and depend on the volcanic environment for potable water and agriculture, most of whom display various forms of health problems ranging from dental caries, goitre, podoconiosis, etc. This study therefore seeks to evaluate the concentration levels of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in the various components of the volcanic environment and their relationship with the inherent human health problems in the area. Volcanic soils and underground waters (springs/boreholes waters) were collected from within the volcanic province for the analysis of major cations and anions. Samples of the volcanic soils were analyzed for the following heavy elements; Be, Co, Cr, Cu, As, Cd, Pb, Sb, Se, V, and Zn. Water samples were analyzed for the major cations (Mg 2? , Ca 2? , Na ? and K ?) and major anions (NO 2À 3 , SO 2À 4 , Cl-, HCO À 3 and F-) to determine their hydrogeochemical characteristics so as to identify the major sources of the cations and anions and factors controlling their distribution. The volcanic soils display mean values in Be, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sb and Se above the baseline regional values with enrichment factors (EF) (2 B EF B 5) indicating moderate to strong enrichment in the volcanic soils. Contrarily, there is clear impoverishment of As, Cd, Cu, V and Zn in the volcanic soils relative to the baseline values (0 B EF B 2). Except for Ni and Se which seem to have contaminated the volcanic soils [pollution load index (PLI) [ 1], these other elements As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sb, V and Zn with PLI \ 1 did not, possibly suggesting little or no anthropogenic input. The rare earth elements (REEs) are equally enriched in the volcanic soils and like most of the other PHEs, they must have been scavenged and co-precipitated with Fe during the weathering of the parent basaltic rock. The significantly lower La/Ce ratios (0.30-0.57) in the volcanic soils attest to the moderate to slightly severe intensity of weathering the parent basaltic rock was subjected to. The waters are predominantly (80 %) of Ca-Mg-HCO 3 type with the remaining 20 % of Na-K-HCO 3 type suggesting a control by water-rock alteration process from the host granitic basement and the overlying basaltic rocks. The fluoride content in all the water sources is positively correlated with the contents of Mg 2? , Na ? , and K ? suggesting a similar source and geochemical process. Tooth decay, a common tooth disease conditions in the volcanic province, could be linked to the low F content in the waters.

American Journal of Environmental Protection, Dec 25, 2014

The inhabitants of Mkpuma Akpatakpa have resorted to the usage of water accumulated in the abando... more The inhabitants of Mkpuma Akpatakpa have resorted to the usage of water accumulated in the abandoned mine ponds and boreholes due to inadequate potable water within the area. Lead Zinc deposit which is typical of the Benue Trough has been mined within the area, leaving heaps of mine tailings at the site. A total of seven (7) water samples were collected and geochemically analyzed with the main objective of assessing their distribution in the waters of the study area. The results revealed the concentration of Arsenic to be high in both surface and groundwater ranging from 0.1 to 0.492mg/l. which exceeds the WHO limit for portable water. Constant exposure to Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As) have shown to have cumulative effects on human health since there is no homeostatic mechanism which can operate to regulate their toxicity. Heavy metals are released into the environment by natural and anthropogenic processes and these increase their concentration, hence leading to pollution. As the populace continues to be exposed to such hazardous element in their drinking water, the health implication could be prevalent overtime if not arrested.

The inhabitants of Mkpuma Akpatakpa have resorted to the usage of water accumulated in the abando... more The inhabitants of Mkpuma Akpatakpa have resorted to the usage of water accumulated in the abandoned mine
ponds and boreholes due to inadequate potable water within the area. Lead Zinc deposit which is typical of the Benue Trough
has been mined within the area, leaving heaps of mine tailings at the site. A total of seven (7) water samples were collected and
geochemically analyzed with the main objective of assessing their distribution in the waters of the study area. The results
revealed the concentration of Arsenic to be high in both surface and groundwater ranging from 0.1 to 0.492mg/l. which
exceeds the WHO limit for portable water. Constant exposure to Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) such as lead (Pb),
cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As) have shown to have cumulative effects on
human health since there is no homeostatic mechanism which can operate to regulate their toxicity. Heavy metals are released
into the environment by natural and anthropogenic processes and these increase their concentration, hence leading to pollution.
As the populace continues to be exposed to such hazardous element in their drinking water, the health implication could be
prevalent overtime if not arrested.
Keywords: Arsenic, Risk, Heavy Metals, Abandoned Mine, Concentration

Origin of Saline Groundwater in Parts of the Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria

Science forum (Bauchi), 2022

World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences

Many cases of road failures have been reported by experts in Nigeria from North to South, East to... more Many cases of road failures have been reported by experts in Nigeria from North to South, East to West. Most of these roads are in a deplorable condition and professionals have attributed it to a number of causes. This study reviewed causes of failure of roads in Nigeria and categorized them into lack of careful and diligent geotechnical studies, inadequate knowledge of geology of the area, and other conditions. Roads that have failed due to lack of proper geotechnical studies include; Awotan-Akufo, Sagamu-Papalanto highway, Onitsha-Enugu Expressway and Akoko highway. Geotechnical studies provide information on the physical and mechanical properties of soil or rock around or brought to the construction site. Some roads have failed as a result of improper consideration of geology for instance the Shagamu -Benin expressway, Lagos- Ibadan expressway, Ibadan -Ife, Osogbo -Iwo expressway, Abakaliki area and Port Harcourt -Enugu expressway. Roads are founded on geologic earth materials an...

Global Journal of Geological Sciences

Groundwater quality is an important thing to be determined; because it is commonly used as a sour... more Groundwater quality is an important thing to be determined; because it is commonly used as a source of clean water for domestic, agricultural and industry purposes. Fifty three groundwater samples (seventeen from wells, five from springs and thirty one from boreholes) were sampled for this research work. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer (ICP-MS) was used to analyze for the major cations while titration was used for SO4 and HCO3. Cl was analyzed using the Ion Chromatographic Method (IC). From the results obtained, Total dissolved solids (TDS), Electrical conductivity (EC), and Strontium (Sr) classified the groundwater in the study area into three as fresh, brackish and saline water. The concentrations of major ions in all the fresh water and some of the brackish water in the study area met the World Health Organization (WHO) Standard for drinking water while the concentrations of the major ions in the saline water are above the WHO permissible values for drinking wat...

International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research, 2019

The study was conducted in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, parts of the Middle Benue... more The study was conducted in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, parts of the Middle Benue Trough. The aim of the study was to assess the concentrations of some heavy metals in groundwater. Forty eight (48) groundwater samples (16 from wells, 4 from springs, and 28 from boreholes) were collected. Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer (ICPMS) was employed to determine the concentrations of these heavy metals in the collected groundwater samples. The study revealed that the concentrations of Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, U, and Zn in hand dug wells are within the WHO permissible limits for drinking water. However, in Azara the concentration of As in the well water is above the WHO permissible limit. Also, Mo concentration in a well water sample at Kanje is above WHO permissible limit. Strontium (Sr) concentration (0.131 – 1.711) in almost all the well water samples are above the WHO permissible limit (0.07 mg/l). Akiri and Awe springs have As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb...

Environmental Earth Sciences, 2015

Your article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution license which allows users to re... more Your article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution license which allows users to read, copy, distribute and make derivative works, as long as the author of the original work is cited. You may selfarchive this article on your own website, an institutional repository or funder's repository and make it publicly available immediately.

Environmental Earth Sciences, 2015

The Panyam volcanic province is a plateau covering a superficial area of about 1200 km 2 , dotted... more The Panyam volcanic province is a plateau covering a superficial area of about 1200 km 2 , dotted by a number of dormant volcanoes forming prominent landmarks above the host continental gneiss-migmatite-granite rocks and stretching for about 12 km. The volcanism is basaltic, characterized by alkaline-calc-alkaline compositions. Large population of people live and depend on the volcanic environment for potable water and agriculture, most of whom display various forms of health problems ranging from dental caries, goitre, podoconiosis, etc. This study therefore seeks to evaluate the concentration levels of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in the various components of the volcanic environment and their relationship with the inherent human health problems in the area. Volcanic soils and underground waters (springs/boreholes waters) were collected from within the volcanic province for the analysis of major cations and anions. Samples of the volcanic soils were analyzed for the following heavy elements; Be, Co, Cr, Cu, As, Cd, Pb, Sb, Se, V, and Zn. Water samples were analyzed for the major cations (Mg 2? , Ca 2? , Na ? and K ?) and major anions (NO 2À 3 , SO 2À 4 , Cl-, HCO À 3 and F-) to determine their hydrogeochemical characteristics so as to identify the major sources of the cations and anions and factors controlling their distribution. The volcanic soils display mean values in Be, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sb and Se above the baseline regional values with enrichment factors (EF) (2 B EF B 5) indicating moderate to strong enrichment in the volcanic soils. Contrarily, there is clear impoverishment of As, Cd, Cu, V and Zn in the volcanic soils relative to the baseline values (0 B EF B 2). Except for Ni and Se which seem to have contaminated the volcanic soils [pollution load index (PLI) [ 1], these other elements As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sb, V and Zn with PLI \ 1 did not, possibly suggesting little or no anthropogenic input. The rare earth elements (REEs) are equally enriched in the volcanic soils and like most of the other PHEs, they must have been scavenged and co-precipitated with Fe during the weathering of the parent basaltic rock. The significantly lower La/Ce ratios (0.30-0.57) in the volcanic soils attest to the moderate to slightly severe intensity of weathering the parent basaltic rock was subjected to. The waters are predominantly (80 %) of Ca-Mg-HCO 3 type with the remaining 20 % of Na-K-HCO 3 type suggesting a control by water-rock alteration process from the host granitic basement and the overlying basaltic rocks. The fluoride content in all the water sources is positively correlated with the contents of Mg 2? , Na ? , and K ? suggesting a similar source and geochemical process. Tooth decay, a common tooth disease conditions in the volcanic province, could be linked to the low F content in the waters.

American Journal of Environmental Protection, Dec 25, 2014

The inhabitants of Mkpuma Akpatakpa have resorted to the usage of water accumulated in the abando... more The inhabitants of Mkpuma Akpatakpa have resorted to the usage of water accumulated in the abandoned mine ponds and boreholes due to inadequate potable water within the area. Lead Zinc deposit which is typical of the Benue Trough has been mined within the area, leaving heaps of mine tailings at the site. A total of seven (7) water samples were collected and geochemically analyzed with the main objective of assessing their distribution in the waters of the study area. The results revealed the concentration of Arsenic to be high in both surface and groundwater ranging from 0.1 to 0.492mg/l. which exceeds the WHO limit for portable water. Constant exposure to Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As) have shown to have cumulative effects on human health since there is no homeostatic mechanism which can operate to regulate their toxicity. Heavy metals are released into the environment by natural and anthropogenic processes and these increase their concentration, hence leading to pollution. As the populace continues to be exposed to such hazardous element in their drinking water, the health implication could be prevalent overtime if not arrested.

The inhabitants of Mkpuma Akpatakpa have resorted to the usage of water accumulated in the abando... more The inhabitants of Mkpuma Akpatakpa have resorted to the usage of water accumulated in the abandoned mine
ponds and boreholes due to inadequate potable water within the area. Lead Zinc deposit which is typical of the Benue Trough
has been mined within the area, leaving heaps of mine tailings at the site. A total of seven (7) water samples were collected and
geochemically analyzed with the main objective of assessing their distribution in the waters of the study area. The results
revealed the concentration of Arsenic to be high in both surface and groundwater ranging from 0.1 to 0.492mg/l. which
exceeds the WHO limit for portable water. Constant exposure to Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) such as lead (Pb),
cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As) have shown to have cumulative effects on
human health since there is no homeostatic mechanism which can operate to regulate their toxicity. Heavy metals are released
into the environment by natural and anthropogenic processes and these increase their concentration, hence leading to pollution.
As the populace continues to be exposed to such hazardous element in their drinking water, the health implication could be
prevalent overtime if not arrested.
Keywords: Arsenic, Risk, Heavy Metals, Abandoned Mine, Concentration